Chapter 204
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 204
Chapter Title: Majid's Chronic Rhinitis
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Since I hadn't hidden it at all, I knew Ahmed's identity, but treating him was no different from any other patient.
He was nothing like those noisy ones who made a fuss every time they came.
My mind felt so at ease. Damn.
"The symptoms started even earlier when he was little, and they got worse after coming to Korea, right? When did you arrive?"
"Last year. I thought it was just particularly bad that winter, but this year it's flared up the same way. I got a call from the school saying Majid's constant nose-blowing was disrupting class."
"That's not my fault."
"Daddy knows. That's why we're here to get treatment."
Majid chimed in with a pouty face at his father's words.
If it kept dripping like that, forcing him to blow nonstop...
"Is it clear runny mucus?"
"Yes, that's right."
As expected, it was clear mucus rather than yellow.
I'd glimpsed it earlier when he blew his nose, and it was clear then too.
"Does it get stuffy?"
"Not really, right?"
"Yeah, just sometimes."
No cough, sneezing only occasionally when going out in the cold. No issues with smell or taste either.
"Does it feel refreshing when you blow? Does it drip down the back?"
"Not much. It feels cool when I blow, though?"
"So there's a bit of phlegm?"
"A little thin stuff, sniff."
Maybe because he was young, he'd picked up the language quickly. Majid answered every question clearly.
Though he kept asking for more tissues.
"Let me check the mucosa."
Following the tax accountant's advice to spend more before the year-end, I'd bought a nasal endoscope—a great choice.
I inserted the device into Majid's nose and snapped photos of the mucosa.
"As I suspected from the lack of blockage, the mucosa lacks elasticity."
It would've been better if it was severely congested and swollen.
That would mean the nose was responding to irritants with inflammation, and the mucosa had the resilience to swell and subside.
That's exactly what happens with temporary colds, not chronic cases.
"Here's what healthy nasal mucosa looks like."
I explained by comparing it to a photo of taut, pink mucosa.
It was obvious that mucus was clinging and blowing irritated it, but the sagging elasticity was the real issue.
"It's bad, huh?"
Majid asked, looking back and forth between me and his dad.
Ahmed and I nodded at the same time.
"I thought it'd be okay since he's still young, but it's more chronic than I expected."
"...We brought him too late. I should have gotten treatment sooner."
A faint guilt crossed Ahmed's face.
No, not that serious.
"It's still fine. It hasn't progressed to sinusitis. The postnasal drip isn't severe either. This is fully treatable."
"Oh, that's a relief."
I showed samples of worse mucosa.
In people with decades of rhinitis, not only was the elasticity dead, but poor circulation made it pale. No swelling at all.
Ancient medical texts call the nose the gateway to the lungs.
Rhinitis is the process of foreign invaders trying to breach to the lungs fighting the gatekeepers at the nose. Mucosa that can't swell is like an open gate.
"Allergies, cold air, dust—whatever irritates the mucosa makes it swell to block it and fight bacteria. Clear runny mucus is when leukocytes and fluid flood out against invading germs."
I gave a simple explanation of rhinitis and runny noses.
Anyway, swelling to block passages and producing mucus meant the immune system was responding.
"First treatment step: reduce inflammation and swelling, open the airways. Gotta ease immediate discomfort. But the second is more important—restore mucosa health so it doesn't produce mucus or inflammation every time it's irritated. In plain terms, boost immunity."
Just because it's fighting well doesn't mean you leave the mucus alone; it won't stop.
It goes beyond temporary swelling—constant vessel dilation, cell hypertrophy blocking passages entirely, mucus pooling in turbinates.
If that festers, it becomes sinusitis.
So symptom relief is necessary first.
"You'll see effects in days to weeks. Western meds might act faster. But stopping there leads to relapse, so see it through. For Majid, regaining elasticity will take time."
Having seen the mucosa via endoscope, Ahmed accepted easily.
Majid looked a bit disappointed it wouldn't be quick.
"Last year meds helped, but symptoms returned after stopping, worse lately. We'll stick it out."
High compliance meant good results.
"Any suspected triggers? If allergic, isolate completely."
Treatment is treatment, but ongoing external factors need isolation.
Of course, if it's fine dust or pollen you can't escape by leaving the country, toughen the mucosa as best you can.
"Hmm... What do you think?"
Asked to Ahmed, but Majid shook his head.
"Should I call your mom? She thinks it's the cold."
His tone lacked confidence.
"Worse in winter?"
Sometimes the simplest answer is right.
"Yes. Last winter it hit right away. Meds for two months, improved by spring. Thought it was fine, but back this winter."
"No pets, living in embassy housing?"
"Yes."
Ruling out fur allergies or sick building syndrome.
"Looks like cold-induced rhinitis."
Narrowed to Wind-Cold Syndrome.
"Immunity lacks against temperature and humidity, so avoid cold as much as possible until body builds resistance."
Even Korea-born kids can be cold-sensitive; from a desert nation, no wonder.
But at my obvious advice, Ahmed looked a bit embarrassed.
"We even walk him to kindergarten to adapt..."
"...Drive him if possible."
Plain clothes, but actually a rich kid from a big family?
He grew up visiting palaces, yet raising him so tough? Korea winters are brutal!
"Layer thermals, wear a mask. Kindergartens have good heating, right?"
"Mornings are cold!"
Majid jumped in quickly when I asked.
His glare at dad full of resentment.
"Hmm, we'll keep him warm at home at least."
"Yes. Minimize irritants."
Found the aggravator too.
For final prescription, I checked diet, sleep, overall status, took pulse.
Thankfully, just slightly sunken pulse, no big issues.
"In Korean medicine, rhinitis divides mainly into Wind-Cold and Wind-Heat. Mucosa state and cold trigger point one way."
Obviously Wind-Cold.
Symptoms from cold air invading lungs; use dispersing Wind-Cold formulas.
Wind-Heat closer to sinusitis, focuses expelling Heat-Toxin causing thick mucus.
"First month: modified Minor Bluegreen Dragon Decoction. For kid, combine with Nourish Yin Subdue Fire to lessen stimulation."
"Acupuncture too?"
"If possible. Direct nasal mucosa needles, plus Distal Point for lung tonification. Oh, and."
I pulled out the new item with the endoscope.
"Nasal ballooning—inserts balloon to expand narrowed mucosa."
"Oh?"
"Clears instantly, feels super refreshing."
Device expands chronic-narrowed nasal passages; good for rhinitis, headaches, TMJ, facial asymmetry too.
Heh, new tech. Bet Master'd be impressed.
"Finally, custom rhinitis ointment—don't forget to apply."
"Oh, good. Ointment too?"
A hmed marveled at unexpected treatments.
But topicals were ancient common.
Chinese papers always pair oral and topical; here, orals dominate.
Back in murim, treated rhinitis patients too poor for decoctions with topicals only.
Sprayed herbal powders like modern sprays, ointments, soaked cloths inserted.
For Cold-type like Majid: sesame, atractylodes, pepper. For thick/dry: ophiopogon, acorus, rhubarb, coptis.
Mint to open, ginger juice for circulation as needed.
"Ooh."
Not fully custom; pre-made for inflammation/Cold/dry types.
"Will help a lot."
Handing ointment confidently, Ahmed took it trustingly.
"Thank you. See you next month."
Majid was a pretty adaptable kid.
When told to go to Korea, he went. Told to study this and that, he just did.
"Ugh, uh, ah... achoo!"
But this country's cold? No way he could adapt.
How could temps drop below zero? Weather forecast seemed wrong; skin-piercing chill worse.
International kindergarten in embassy housing district, many diplomats' kids.
Walkable summer distance became hell road in winter.
"Sniff!"
Mucus kept coming no matter how much he blew.
Ten times an hour drew stares, but what could he do?
Stuffy enough to die?
One day, teacher said something; dad took him to Busan.
'Warmer here.'
Not thrilled about black meds like dad's, but Majid did what parents said.
Dad likes it, so okay. Got treated.
'Ah! Feels alive!'
Strange needles in nose.
Balloon after felt refreshing.
But best: the ointment.
"What's that?"
Applied, itch vanished magically?
"Rhinitis ointment? Topical rhinitis med."
"Seongsu Clinic? From a Korean med clinic?"
That was one? Unsure, but Majid nodded.
"You go to Korean med too."
Friend amazed for some reason, asked to try.
"Different types. You get runny nose in cold?"
"Yeah. Not as bad as you."
Handed swab casually.
"Don't poke hard. Apply gently."
"Thanks!"
Days later.
Majid enjoyed relief.
Treatment cut blowing frequency, no glares.
Scarf wrapped, mask on—much less cold.
'Huh?'
Meds and ointment became habit.
Extras everywhere: pockets, desk, locker.
But staple he'd used constantly... suddenly gone.
'No tissues?'
Since when?
Yesterday? Day before? No blowing and fine?
Majid startled.
Huge change in days.